ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

People react to Charlene Grant's music with a definite "Yeah!" because she knows how to strike that common chord for all of us dealing with our lives and loves in complicated times. Her lyrics are succinct, creative, intelligent and, at times so humorously well put, that you have to smile at your past or current dilemmas. Her songs have great appeal for both men and women because her they are presented so equitably and with such honest character.

The music covers the waterfront of styles including the soulful funk of "The Business Of Love", the electric blues storytelling of "Life's Too Short", the back porch advice of "Don't Try To Change Your Man", the barroom rocking of "That Would Be Me", the Country Blues groove of Love Doctor, the French Café feel of "Spark An Old Flame" and the political commentary of "Take That Job." The music is performed by some of the best musicians that the Northwest has to offer, including John Stephan, Jack Cook, Joel Foy, Steve Bailey and John Marshall, along with the Bay Area's great sax player, John Firmin, AKA "Johnny Nocturne."

With the help of co-producer, John Stephan, the approach for each song is individual and musicians have been selected to represent that character. As Mark Dalton of The Chris Stevens Band put it, "Songs on this CD are more subtle, intelligent and way more fun that than the usual 'sassy blues mama' approach."

This is a great collection of blues based original songs from Songwriter/Vocalist/Bassist Charlene Grant.
From sultry Delta Blues to campy cajun just makes you feel good. Excellent production and musicianship.
Favs are the driving "Train Wreck" and the swampy "Life's to Short".
Life's to short not to check out this CD!

Fromt he start to the finish it is a well crafted group of songs, great arrangements, quality musicianship across the board. Charlene Grant is a superp song writer. "Don't Try to Change Your Man" is so witty! "That Would Be Me" is a great song, dancing music, with a punch. "Spark an Old Flame" is one of the best songs, superior song writing; great lyrics and so musical. "Theory of Laundry"; the first time I heard it, I could not stop laughing. It is one of the funniest pieces of music I have ever heard. You won't be disappointed with this woman and her music!

Believe me, after years as a DJ sifting through promo copies sent to radio stations, Charlene Grant's “That Would Be Me” catches one's attention and warrants repeated play. The CD is a delightful eclectic mix of folk, rock & blues with a touch of funk and a bit of Zydeco thrown into the fun. Make no mistake; “This Would Be Me” is definitely a blues CD with thoughtful lyrics and sophisticated talented arrangements.

There is not a bad track on this CD. “That Would Be Me, The One with the Blues, and Don't Try to Change Your Man” are born of the honky tonks that Charlene has played up and down the Pacific Seaboard from Anchorage to San Diego. “Train Wreck” is a driving blues tune while “Say the Word” is as rocking as a Poodle Skirt. Then there is the funky “Life's Too Short' (yes that is Charlene on bass & yes that is a horn section) and a Zydeco influenced “Ever since My Baby's Been Gone” that would make my sister in Abbeville, LA spin around the dance floor. “Take That Job” is a folksy comment on our troubled times.

Charlene's skills as a songwriter shine on “Theory of Laundry” and the blues ring true with “Love Doctor”. The only thing missing from this CD is a 'gut wrenching, cry in your beer, jam blues tune, but that's why there are follow up albums…. Run, don't walk to buy “That Would Be Me”. Charlene Grant is a definite jewel in the Seattle Blues scene.

Erstwhile bassist and back-up vocalist Charlene Grant (the late Isaac Scott, Steve Bailey) takes center-stage, to put her money where her mouth is, so to speak. Except for one track and a few collaborations, these righteous compositions are all her own! The only cover is a zydeco remake of Charlie Singleton/Rosie McCoy’s “Ever Since My Baby’s Been Gone”, which was recorded somewhat more jazzily by the legendary Ruth Brown. Greg Keplinger replaces Kevin Cook on drums on this lively track.

Among the multitude of stellar players (Jack Cook, Eric “Two Scoops” Moore and Steve Bailey) are her equally-accomplished fellow Alaskans, “The 3Js” - bluesman John Stephan (lead guitar and background vocals); John Lee (alternating on bass) of the Crossroads Band; and John Firmin (tenor saxophone) of the Johnny Nocturne Band.

There never being enough “Johns” to go around, John Marshall of the Wild Rhododendrons participates on sweetly laid-back but uptempo harmonica and lead vocals on “Say the Word”, a Grant-Marshall composition paying a tribute to high-fidelity in friendships. Charlene also collaborates with John Barnard (of Jack Tempchin’s band) on “Spark an Old Flame”, featuring Jack Cook on National steel guitar, Hugh Sutton on accordion, Greg Roberts on bass and Lee Merrihew on drums.

Charlene’s vocals are strong, pleasant and well-enunciated, although her phrasing is initially a bit too choppy, perhaps deliberately, on “The Business of Love”, a catchy little R&B tune that slightly recalls Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love”. She experiments with a variety of rhythms and tempos, including a bit of rapping on the funky “Life’s Too Short” (co-written with Stephan), but her vocals smooth out on slow-blues tunes like “The One With The Blues”, with John Firmin climaxing on a saxophone break – whoa!

Joel Foy, who was one of the performers on the 1984 reputedly classic Criminal Records’ Live at the Roadhouse CD (with Isaac Scott, Curtis Salgado, Lloyd Jones, etc.), plays guitar on the honky-tonkin’ title track here, and Stuart Nyren (from John Stephan’s own band) hits the drumkit on “Life’s Too Short”, on which track John Stephan shines on lead guitar and a devious ex-boyfriend gets compared to George Bush!

“Train Wreck”, with John Stephan cutting a swath with his trademark searing slide guitar and Steve Bailey fiercely blowing his blues-harp, is the blockbuster track and does not, in any way, pertain to that term as it is used in a musical sense.

The lyrics on “Theory of Laundry” are comically feminist, but she’s wise to mockingly advise that you “Don’t Try to Change Your Man” - “You might change that man and make him just right for somebody else.” Charlene is accompanied perfectly by Ava Stephan, John’s daughter, on harmony vocals, Greg Roberts on mandolin, Guy Quintino on bass and Vern Petry on drums. “Love Doctor” was first recorded on the self-titled début CD of The 3Js (then called the Three Johns). I loved it then and still do!

It’s a thoroughly enjoyable CD, and I look forward to hearing more from Ms. Grant.